On The Table

A collection of knowledge-based articles to inspire overall wellness.

Is Your Sleep Position Making You Gain Weight?

Noticing pounds added to the scale and clothes tightening is often attributed it to drive thru runs, work parties, and missed workouts. But there is another culprit that should not be slept on... With sleep showing such a significant contribution to health and weight status, can your sleep position be making you gain weight?

Is Your Sleep Position Making You Gain Weight?

Sleep Positions and Health

Sleep has a strong connection to health, with additional implications on how you choose to lay may benefit the following:

• Digestion
Sleeping face down in the prone position is suggested to aid in and improve digestion.

• Heart Burn
Elevating your head and sleeping on the left side have been suggested to relieve heart burn.

• Neck and Back Pain
Resting on your back and both left and right sides are suggested to alleviate both neck and back pain, particularly by uncompressing the spine.

• Blood Flow
Especially for pregnant women, sleeping on the left side is suggested to improve blood flow.

• Snoring
Sleeping on your stomach, in the fetal position, or on your side may lessen snoring.

But What Is the Best Position to Sleep to Lose Weight?

With all the listed benefits of, there must be a "lose weight sleep position," right? Unfortunately, there really is no identified position at this time, though sleep experts suggest the best position to sleep to lose weight is subjective, as the position that offers you the most comfort to bring you a good night's rest. With sleep playing such an impact on health, put the worry of weight gain to rest by...

...creating a conducive sleep environment.
Sleep and wake cycles are related to sunrise and sunset and the naturally lighting that follows. Honor those cues by shutting the blinds and turning off the lights when the sun goes down, further basking in a lightly cooled, comfortable bed.

...turning off electronics.
Now that you are basking in a comfortable sleep environment, do not forget one important piece... Turning off electronics! The bright lights that radiate from the screens can disrupt that sleep cycles even if the rest of the room is dark.

...maintaining a sleep schedule.
Staying consistent with a bedtime routine can assist in sleep regularity, ultimately nurturing an appropriate sleep-wake cycle to achieve adequate sleep. Form a schedule that best fits your daily routine, but also considering the importance of achieving the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

...selecting a nutritious bedtime snack.
Although snacking before bedtime is oftentimes discouraged, true feelings of hunger can delay feelings of comfort and sleep onset. But rather than ravening through the kitchen and grabbing bags of chips or cartons of ice cream, select one of these nutritious bedtime snacks to cure your hunger.

...limiting caffeine consumption.
Especially following mid-morning to early afternoon hours, limit caffeine consumption. Too much caffeine after the morning hours can start impeding on nightly sleep cycles, ultimately hindering the ability to fall asleep at a timely hour. Beyond coffee, caffeine is found in energy drinks, teas, and chocolates.

But aside from sleep and the position you wish to rest in, manage weight through a proper diet, regular exercise, and stress-management. If desiring assistance in weight loss and health goals, look no further than bistroMD! Being the nation's leader in weight loss meal delivery, bistroMD offers nutritionally-balanced meals straight to your doorstep. The provision of fresh meals lessens the need for meal planning, ingredient assembly, and kitchen cleanup, allotting you more time to rest and obtain the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night. For more information on bistroMD and the individualized programs they offer, visit the official page here or call 866-401-3428 today!